Execution via Windows Subsystem for Linux

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Detects attempts to execute a program on the host from the Windows Subsystem for Linux. Adversaries may enable and use WSL for Linux to avoid detection.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

  • winlogbeat-*
  • logs-endpoint.events.*
  • logs-windows.*
  • endgame-*

Severity: medium

Risk score: 47

Runs every: 5m

Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References:

Tags:

  • Elastic
  • Host
  • Windows
  • Threat Detection
  • Defense Evasion
  • Elastic Endgame

Version: 1

Rule authors:

  • Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

Rule query

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process where event.type : "start" and
 process.parent.executable :
    ("?:\\Windows\\System32\\wsl.exe",
     "?:\\Program Files*\\WindowsApps\\MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForLinux_*\\wsl.exe",
     "?:\\Windows\\System32\\wslhost.exe",
     "?:\\Program Files*\\WindowsApps\\MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForLinux_*\\wslhost.exe") and
  not process.executable :
           ("?:\\Windows\\System32\\conhost.exe",
            "?:\\Windows\\System32\\lxss\\wslhost.exe",
            "?:\\Windows\\Sys*\\wslconfig.exe",
            "?:\\Program Files*\\WindowsApps\\MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForLinux_*\\wsl*.exe",
            "?:\\Windows\\System32\\WerFault.exe",
            "?:\\Program Files\\*",
            "?:\\Program Files (x86)\\*")

Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM